Saturday Bookstore Event on the Web

I am going to attempt to broadcast my Saturday (October 31) book signing event, from noon to 3 pm Eastern time. I will be speaking at 1 pm, probably for about half an hour. The rest of the time, I will be signing books and talking to customers. I hope you will interact via the web.

Click here for the live streaming link.

I Know Why the Angels Dance now in stock at CBD

My newest book, I Know Why the Angels Dance, is now in stock at Christianbook.com.

Click here for the link.

I hope you get an opportunity to buy and read the book soon. Thank you for your support.

"Angels" in stock at Amazon

I Know Why the Angels Dance is now in stock at Amazon.com. Click Here to go to the Amazon page.

The book release was two months late, so I appreciate your patience. I'm sure it will begin showing up in stores very soon. Please do me a favor and ask your local store to stock it.

Echoes from the Edge - Get the word out

I heard yesterday from a bookstore that one of the main complaints the manager hears about my books is that they come out too slowly. My inner response is one of surprise, because I have published twelve novels since June of 2004. I realize that some authors are more prolific than that, but considering the size of some of my novels, I think they're coming out a pretty good pace. Quite a few popular authors are much slower, so I'm probably in the middle of the pack for speed.

One of the problems is that many readers don't know about all my books. I see proof of that when readers write to me saying, "I love your Dragons in our Midst and Oracles of Fire series. When are you going to come out with another book?" And they have no idea that I already have three more books in the Echoes from the Edge trilogy. Then, when they read those books they write back and tell me how much they enjoyed the stories, and wonder, "Why don't more people know about them?"

I wish I knew the answer to that final question. I think anyone who enjoyed my dragons books will enjoy these as well. With Christmas shopping time getting close, maybe you'll consider checking out the first book in the series, Beyond the Reflection's Edge. Click Here for a link that will tell you more about the book, and you'll find another link there that will allow you to read the first chapter.

Teachers, these books are on the Accelerated Reader list, so they will be a great addition for your school's library.

You can buy an autographed copy of the first book for only $10 at this link, or the entire set for $27 at this link.

Those of you who have already read these books and enjoyed them, please do me a favor and spread the word. As always, I appreciate your support.

Creative Writing Coach - Andy Meisenheimer

Former Zondervan editor Andy Meisenheimer and his wife are offering creative writing coaching.

This is a great opportunity for homeschoolers or anyone who wants truly professional guidance in writing. Andy knows his stuff, so if you have a notion to seek out a coach or a mentor, check out his web page by clicking here.

Free Copy of "Angels" for Grief Counselors

If you know a person who provides grief counseling on a regular basis, and you would like to give that person a copy of I Know Why the Angels Dance, I will send it to you free of charge (as long as my supply lasts).

Such counselors would include pastors, funeral home workers, hospice counselors, hospital critical care workers, or any other occupation that qualifies.

If you would like to participate, then write to me bryan (at) dragonsinourmidst (dot) com and tell me about the person you have in mind. I will send the book to you so that you can give it to the counselor. I don't want to send it directly to that person myself. It should be a gift from you so that the grief counselor knows that you are recommending it.

I will look forward to seeing how many people wish to bless others with this book.

Making the Angels Dance

Now that I Know Why the Angels Dance has been released, I have been thinking about the people to whom I will be giving copies. Since this book will be of great help and comfort to those who are in tragic circumstances or in grief, these are on my list so far:

Funeral directors
Doctors
Hospices
Grief counselors
Christian School Principals

And I will always have some on hand for when I hear about the death of a friend or the friend of a friend.

Can you think of others who would benefit? Post your ideas for me in a comment.

Once you read this book, I think you'll understand how beneficial it will be for anyone who is hurting because of loss. That's why I am offering the book for sale at a quantity discount for gift-giving.

If you'll click here, you can buy five copies for $45, including shipping. That's only $9 each, delivered, which is pretty much my cost. As many of you know, I am donating proceeds from this book to charitable causes, so I'm not trying to make a profit. I am trusting that the books will be put in the hands of people who will benefit from its message of hope.

"Angels" is Here!

I have received my copies of I Know Why the Angels Dance. What a beautiful book!

Getting a new book is always an exciting experience for me. Opening the box, knowing what's inside, is like Christmas as a child, and holding the crisp new volume provides a thrill. May God bless this new offering.

I am mailing out pre-orders for this book today as well as some giveaways to friends and family. If you want a copy, you may order it by clicking here, and I will send it out as soon as possible.

It's not in stores yet, but it should be there soon, maybe a week or so, depending on where you live. Do me a favor. Call your bookstore, and ask them to order it. This isn't my usual genre, so some bookstores might not be planning to stock it.

If you want to know more about the book, please click here. If you read it, please let me know what you think.

Various Updates

The release of I Know Why the Angels Dance has been delayed by another week. I had announced that it would be at the publisher's warehouse by October 9. Now it is supposed to be there by October 16. That means the book should be in stores by the end of the month. Thank you for your patience.

I am currently working on the second young adult book in the Dragons of Starlight series. My working title is Inner Starlight. I'm hoping to make it even more thrilling than the first, and that will be a challenge.

I will be visiting Thornburg Middle School in Fredericksburg, Virginia, during the morning classes on October 30, and Fredericksburg Christian Lower School during the afternoon. If you want to hear one of my talks, call the school to obtain permission. I have found that schools usually welcome visitors for such events.

Don't forget that I will be at the His Way Bookstore in Ellicott City, Maryland, on October 31 from 12 noon to 3 pm. If you live in the area, I hope you can come out and see me.

Why Fantasy?

I wrote a version of the following essay a few years ago, so some of you might have read it back then. This one is updated with a few changes and added defenses for the helpfulness of fantasy in teaching spiritual truths. You can find it in a printable form by clicking here.

Fantasy and the Heart of a Child
by Bryan Davis

“Daddy, can I have a sword for my birthday?”

Many parents have heard such a call from little boys who feel the drive to raise a weapon of defense and protection. It starts early, because it is inherent in their make-up. Boys and girls alike possess a God-given drive to do great things, and a wise parent understands how to feed such internal hunger, by providing wholesome stories of the fantastic, tales of heroes and heroines that promote judicious development of a child’s budding dreams.

The proof of this drive is easy to see. Watch boys play. Their imaginative games send them tromping from yard to yard, jumping hedges to attack the enemy, rolling for cover behind the doghouse, and sending Orcs to their doom in the sand pit, the evil uglies squealing in dismay at the brave little heroes and their gleaming weapons. This is their youthful journey, part of their training to be heroes.

Maybe a boy’s yearning began at the mall when he walked by the huge movie posters depicting a tale of brave hobbits and a golden ring of power. A blue-eyed Frodo stared into his eyes, hypnotizing him with images of bravery and heroism. A gaggle of young girls gathered around another poster featuring a bespectacled young wizard and his magical schoolmates. Or maybe it began earlier, deep in the heart of his mother’s womb as a seed of heroism was implanted in his soul, an instinctive urge to do battle against evil and defend the helpless against the enslaving powers of corruption. He was called to be something more than what he could see with his eyes, a warrior greater than the weak heroes portrayed in the media. He sought another world, a world in the realms of the fantastic.

Why does the world of fantasy mesmerize our youth? The movie industry certainly has taken note. And bookstore shelves bend with hundreds of volumes filled with battle lore from ancient times, even from distant galaxies, heroes and heroines struggling and finally conquering in whatever quests their conjurers create.

These fantastic stories involve our children’s minds so much that they discuss their content in depth, memorize the spoken lines, and even learn new languages never uttered in any real culture. But how do these stories capture the hearts of young people? Is it simply the fun and frivolity of escapism? Or does the answer lie deep in their longing hearts?

We have within us a craving, a deep desire to commune with a power greater than our own, yet many of us crawl along in life without even a glimpse of our hidden passion. There has to be a reason for living. There must be a Camelot, a hidden Utopia where we can rest from our personal campaigns. Fantasy opens our eyes to a better place, a shining city we do not yet know. And the stories provide a mental bridge as we pursue horizons we could never distinguish with our physical eyes.

Young people are especially aware of fantasy’s alluring call. Boys and girls, still unjaded and brimming with ideals, feel their God-given programming. From my experience as a father of seven and as an author who receives e-mails from young people all over the world, it seems to me that boys and girls manifest two distinct kinds of programming. I realize these stereotypes are not universally accepted, but many boys seem to be wired as protectors, heroes if need be. Girls often gravitate toward being wise counselors and strategists, skilled in everything that is less brutish, while willing to be cunning warriors if their male counterparts fall.

When a young man watches a wide screen and sees a hero draw steel from scabbard, displaying a bright, sharp sword as his biceps bulge, the boy feels valor, the bravery of a knight. He becomes the champion he has never been, copying the role model he may have never witnessed in real life. When the hero mounts his steed and charges bravely into conflict, a boy feels his heart race, his blood pumping hot. He rides the horse, too, not knowing why his spirit has attached to that rugged man on the screen, why his mind has pulled him into the saddle. Does the child know that he, too, was built to charge the battlements, to defend the weak, to conquer evil?

When a young lady sees a heroine work behind the scenes to prepare reinforcements, persuade the powers that be to send troops, or kindle the fire in quavering hearts, she feels her inner calling. When the heroine crashes a jar over the villain’s head to save her fallen hero, a girl’s heart leaps. The courageous young lady has used whatever strength she had, at risk of her own life, to prevent disaster. Without her, all would have been lost.

In our culture, where do we see such heroism, the living out of these dramatic stories of knights, maidens, and villains? Nobility has vanished. Virtue and heroism have faded with the silhouette of the last champion riding off into the sunset. It seems that too many men seek only monetary ends while too many women crave vanity.

Yet, our children are seeking something more, something worthwhile, something that lasts forever. If they can’t find nobility in the hearts of their parents, truth in the words of their teachers, or virtue in the so-called heroes of our times, they turn to internal fantasies. As Richard Abanes wrote, “We obtain comfort by seeing evil unmasked, condemned and destroyed. We are offered hope through being shown that at least somewhere, even if it is in another world, good has triumphed.”1 And there are many authors and Hollywood producers who are willing to give children the images they crave—some for good, and some that leave much to be desired.

Some parents, who are commendably cautious, worry that approving fantasy tales promotes the idea that it’s okay to learn from a lie. Yet, they misunderstand the role of a myth. Fantasy is not a lie, because it doesn’t pretend to be true. It is a vision, the mind’s dramatic sketch of what we were meant to be. Good fantasy is a blend of survival and worship. It demonstrates faith, hope, and love--the three abiding gifts--wielded in integrity and nobility, and illustrated in ways that readers will never forget. As author Terry Pratchett wrote, “Let there be goblin hordes, let there be terrible environmental threats, let there be giant mutated slugs if you really must, but let there also be Hope. It may be a grim, thin hope, an Arthurian sword at sunset, but let us know that we do not live in vain.”2

Other parents wonder why fantasy is useful. Why should we read it? We live these qualities, so our children see nobility and honor in our lives, and we teach the precepts of the Bible, so they understand faith, hope, and love. Why fantasy?

Such parents are wise in their dual pursuit—teaching from the Holy Word and showing the truth by example. Their children are blessed. Yet, it’s interesting that Jesus taught in at least three ways. He certainly taught from the Scriptures and by example, and He added a third method, storytelling. And these stories sometimes contained fantasy elements, amazing details that stayed in the memories of His listeners—a camel passing through the eye of a needle and a rich man and a poor man viewing each other across a great void. Not only that, the miracles Jesus performed were fantasy stories made real, and the lessons He taught through those miracles will not soon be forgotten by those who beheld them.

By following Jesus’ example, parents have an opportunity to add a great tool to their teaching arsenal, fantasy stories that create lasting images to which children can relate. A boy can see himself drawing a sword, gazing at his fingers wrapped around a battle-worn hilt and following shimmering steel upward to the razor-sharp point. His eyes go from earth to heaven, first meditating on his limited strength, then raising his thoughts to the skies, and considering the God who fashioned every muscle he is about to use, every neuron in his system that will send messages from mind to muscle as he charges to carry out His will.

Many a girl realizes early in her life that she is the earthly reason for a man’s charge into danger. Without her, man’s resolve wilts, his heart quakes, his sword fails. She is his support, reminding him of the goal, building up his courage, even rallying to his aid should he be dashed to the ground by his enemies.

Fantasy is a catalyst for change, a change for good and not for evil. Strangely enough, fantasy lives to bring an end to itself. If our culture would reflect the values that good fantasy delivers, fantasy would no longer reflect the genre’s name; it would be commonplace, lacking allure. Yet, making such a drastic change in this troubled world doesn’t seem realistic. In our culture, it can seem heroic just to work for an honest living, lobby Congress for ethical laws, or volunteer to help rebuild a hurricane-ravaged area. These are good, honest deeds and should be held up as honorable activities, yet it’s hard to translate these works into the exciting images that fantasy portrays. And for most of us, our everyday lives--often comfortable and lacking danger--are too mundane to compete with our children’s fertile imaginations.

In many homes, children often see cheating, lying, and adultery in weak-minded fathers and mothers who seek after their own pleasures. Is it any wonder they try to escape to another world that gives so much more? The heroes they have been called to be are imprisoned, unable to live freely because there is no model, no inspiration that gives life and breath to their dreams.

Boys are looking to take the sword and discover the man they feel in their hearts. Girls seek a heroine, longing for someone to imitate, a true lady cast in the image they see beyond the mirror.
We have enough in media of flawed heroes, characters who are the so-called “honest” or “realistic” portrayals of humanity. Children see these fraudulent heroes every day, straw soldiers, easily blown, easily burned. Harboring inner evil they can’t seem to conquer, these characters raise no real cry of victory, only a never-ending lament.

We have an opportunity to create strong soldiers by using the power of story, even through the pages of the impossible. If parents will allow fantasy its proper place, as an inspiration toward heroism, allowing powerful images to create positive models in children’s minds, they will create home-grown heroes who will build and display integrity and virtue.

Working together, we can use this genre to capture hearts and minds with champions of virtue, images that will reach in and ignite the flame, setting free the heroes or heroines that God has implanted in the hearts of children. That’s why I have chosen to allow my children to embrace the images that fantasy creates. I want to grow heroes.

1 - Richard Abanes, Fantasy and Your Family (Camp Hill, PA: Christian Publications, Inc., 2002), 21.

2 - Terry Pratchett, “When the Children Read Fantasy” [on-line], July 28, 1999. Concatenation (1994). February 12, 2003. Available from :http://www.concatenation.org/articles/pratchett.html.

Book Signing Event in Ellicott City, Maryland

I will be signing books at the His Way Bookstore in Ellicott City, Maryland, on Saturday, October 31, from noon until 3:00 pm. The store will have all my books on hand, and I will be glad to sign books you already own.

This will be the first official book signing event for the release of I Know Why the Angels Dance.

Even if you can't come, if you know someone in the area who might be interested, please pass the information along.

Review of I Know Why the Angels Dance

Here is a link to a new review of I Know Why the Angels Dance: Click Here

This book will be out in the next couple of weeks. I am looking forward to seeing how God uses it to bring comfort to hurting souls.

You can pre-order from me by Clicking Here, or you can choose one of the links below.

Click here for Amazon

Click below to order from Christianbook.com

I Know Why the Angels Dance By Bryan Davis

A Simple Contest

From now until the end of October, anyone ordering I Know Why the Angels Dance from me will be entered into a drawing for a free copy of Starlighter when it comes out.

Here is the link for ordering: Click Here

If you ordered it from me and want to be included in the contest, post a comment here.

You might want to order multiple copies to have on hand as gifts to those who are grieving. After reading this book, you will understand its value for those who need spiritual comfort. As a reminder, I am donating all royalties to charitable causes.

I Know Why the Angels Dance Release

I Know Why the Angels Dance will be at the publisher's warehouse by October 9, so it should be in stores within a couple of weeks after that. There were several reasons for the delay, including a new cover design. I'm glad everything has been resolved, and I'm looking forward to the release.

Now is a good time to order online at one of the links below. This book will be a great gift for friends and family in grief situations, so it might be a good idea to keep a couple of copies on hand.

As I have stated before, I am donating all royalties to charitable causes, including (at this time) World Vision and Voice of the Martyrs.

Would you like a preview? Click Here to read the first chapter.

Please help me spread the news about this book.

Click Here for the book's website (in development).

Click here for a recent review of I Know Why the Angels Dance

Click here for Amazon
Click here to order from me
Click below to order from Christianbook.com

I Know Why the Angels Dance By Bryan Davis

A Charge for Young Men

A Charge to Young Men
by Bryan Davis
Click here for a pdf version

Whether you love books or broadswords, as a young man you are wired for greatness. You want to take a step above the norm and rise high above mediocrity. You desire excellence in all things. From head to heart, you want to be a knight in shining armor.

As a knight, your weapons and armor are many and varied—wisdom from above, unblinking courage, a rock-like steadfastness of spirit, unshakable faith, and swords both physical and spiritual. No matter which weapon you choose, make sure you are battle-ready, trained for the conflicts that lie ahead. This training requires discipline of body, mind, and soul, so that your righteousness through Jesus Christ will shine and never fade.

If you embrace this passion and put it into practice, you will be a bright light in a culture that prefers dimness. Some will be drawn to your light, to your high standards, because they feel within themselves a calling to be more than they are now. Others will be repelled, because they cannot stand the thought that someone is mounting the summit while they have chosen a lower path. These might try to drag you down.

In either case, your example will stand firm. You will lift up those who reach out for help, and you will resist those who try to pull you into their mire. You will be a hero to those needing a champion, and you will be unblemished though detractors hurl invectives.

God is the power behind your steadfastness, and His standards are the code that guides your behavior. Many have marched this path before you. Your foundation has been built with the bricks of men who are unafraid to flex their muscles and is held together by the mortar of masculine courage. With faith in God’s promises, you can follow that code. You can change the world.

How? By living the standard. You will tell the truth in a world of lies, remain loyal in a land of betrayal, and work faithfully in a culture of excuses. Even your friends might think you are overzealous, and in this zeal you might stand alone. Yet your peculiar faithfulness makes you trustworthy, even in the eyes of pretenders. Your loyalty is unquestioned, even among the unfaithful. If a lie of expediency whispers its desire to be told, a horde of lesser men will stampede to tell it. Not you. To speak a falsehood is to spew poison, and you will not allow a drop of venom to leave your tongue, even if offered the treasure of Solomon or threatened with death.

Our culture celebrates the lie. It laughs at the deceptive antics of bumbling fools on television. It elects politicians who tell the most convincing fables. It winks at “white lies” that allow a man to skip an annoying meeting or avoid a tiresome caller by saying, “Oh, I can’t talk to him right now. Tell him I’m out to lunch.”

And with one shady statement, this man falls from being a knight to being a knave. He thinks he’s running with the big dogs, but he’s really wallowing with the pigs.

Although there will always be someone willing to accuse you of wrongdoing, you must be careful never to give your enemies a real reason to question your character. You are called to be a beacon fueled by true purity. You are to reflect to the world what you really are in your heart—holy and pure. Your ability to remain unstained in this culture is the light that will draw other people to the same standard by which you live. Your duty is to keep yourself spotless by abstaining from anything that would soil your reputation. Why? Because the light you shine is easily dimmed in the eyes of others.

Men of lesser nobility fear this standard, yet not because of a specific portion of its grand design or a particular rule of conduct. They fear the specter of a man who actually follows these precepts, for once you prove that such a standard is attainable, those who prefer mediocrity no longer have an excuse for their behavior, and your light exposes them for what they are.

Many of you will choose a young maiden to help you in this quest, someone who will support you with strength of her own, someone who will bind your wounds and whisper words of encouragement as she sends you charging back into battle. Choose carefully—not the woman who attracts with smiles and skin, but rather the woman who proves her heart through service, discernment, and integrity. If she finds joy in worship and hard work, peace in the midst of persecution, and contentment even when her pockets are empty, then she will be the soul mate you need to endure the long and difficult road ahead. Since she embraces the same standard you hold dear, she will lift your arms should they sag in weariness and infuse you with assurance should your confidence falter. Face and form will change through the years, but a saintly woman’s heart will last forever.

So as you go forward as a living example of this standard, pay heed to the counsel of those who have blazed the trail. It is a long journey, filled with potential hazards, but it is one that a young man who lives by the sword of the Spirit will be able to complete, and you will find applause at the end of the road, not only from those who have cheered you along the way, but from God, Himself, who created the code of conduct and fashioned you into the exemplary model He hoped you would be.

Starlighter Cover

Here is the cover of Starlighter, the first in the four-book Dragons of Starlight series from Zondervan. Scheduled for release on April 1, 2010, it is designed for young adults. Although the story involves dragons, it's not related to any other series I have written.

For a higher resolution image of the cover, Click Here.

You can pre-order it from Amazon, or you can pre-order an autographed copy from me by Clicking Here.

Following is a description of the story. Please let me know if you have any questions or comments.

Jason Masters has heard his older brother Adrian’s tales about dragons kidnapping humans. Supposedly, almost one hundred years ago, a dragon stole away several humans and enslaved them on its own planet. These Lost Ones, as Adrian called them, live terrible lives as cattle. Yet, the Underground Gateway, the portal to the dragon planet, still exists somewhere, and a secret society of the same name has long tried to find it so they can rescue the Lost Ones.

When Adrian leaves to find the portal, Jason takes his place as the Governor’s bodyguard. Although the government has tried to cover up the evidence, he learns that the legends are true, and after being accused of murder and learning that Adrian’s life is in danger, he has to conduct his own search for the portal, a journey filled with danger and intrigue.

Aided by a gifted young lady named Elyssa and an eccentric escapee from the dungeon named Tibalt, Jason ventures into the wilderness to locate Adrian and the Lost Ones. Yet, what he finds on the dragon planet proves to the biggest surprise of all. Koren, a lonely slave girl, is a powerful being called a Starlighter, the slaves' only hope for survival and rescue, though most refuse to believe that their ancestors ever came from another planet.

A Charge for Young Women

She is born with a passion to uplift, empower, and support. She is the mainstay and sail for the captain’s ship. She is the heat in the warrior’s resolve and the salve that heals his wounds. She is the heart that pumps vitality to every joint and sinew. Yes, she is a woman.

Every girl in existence has been lovingly fashioned—from her caring and sensitive brain, to her tender and compassionate hands, to her tireless feet—to be a pillar of strength and resolve. While she might not be a warrior who draws a sword, she is the healer who strengthens the warrior’s hands and heart. Without her, every weapon would drop in futility, every muscular arm would wilt, and every pair of tired legs would shuffle home in defeat, for the heart that drives the warrior forward has stopped beating.

Some young women choose to take up the sword themselves, to step out alone in the midst of darkness to carry a lantern to the lost, to battle oppression and bring relief to the abused and neglected, or to transport life-giving supplies to the destitute wherever they may be. Their partner is the Spirit of Christ, and their sword is His word. They must know Him well if they hope to shine His light and pierce the darkness without the help of an intimate human partner.

Speak the truth. Live the truth. Be the truth. Never let the faithless ones persuade you to abandon any of those three principles. Remember that you are an oracle of fire, as is every faithful follower of our Lord. For all true disciples possess the pure silver, purged of all dross, and the fire of God’s love burns within, an everlasting flame that others, even those who give lip-service to the truth, will never comprehend until you are able to pass along that fire from heart to heart.

Many girls will choose to partner with another in this pursuit, hoping to be the light, the energy, and the drive that pulses within the breast of another. Yet, some never discover what it means to be such a heart. They never learn the secret of the captain’s sail or the recipe of the healing salve. Why? Because they listen to a counterfeit call, a trumpet blaring a falsehood—that their beauty is a lure to capture rather than an inspiration to set free. The inner desire to help and support becomes a lust to take and own. The hope to hear words of affirmation that she has been a good and faithful helpmate transforms into a hopeless search for eyes that admire and lips that speak words of appreciation for her outward appearance rather than for the beauty of her soul. And such a search never ends in true satisfaction.

You, however, are listening to your creator’s call, a gentle voice within that whispers reminders of how you were really fashioned, to be a woman of virtue, of inner beauty, of priceless value. The trumpet announces your need to strut, expose, and seduce, while the inner voice sings of ways to dress your soul in virtue—to feed the hungry, cover those laid bare, infuse encouragement into the hearts of the downtrodden, and nurture the victims of poverty, disease, and abandonment.

As a young woman of virtue, you understand what will happen if you heed the trumpet’s call to lure with flesh and flair. You will draw attention, but from whom? Someone who values face and form but not the heart. He will take, use, and abuse. His desire is for his own benefit, because what his eyes perceive is a girl who offers to fulfill the cravings of his body, and he responds, not with love, but with lust for his own satisfaction. And when your flower of youth fades, he will not perceive value in your soul, and you will never achieve the holy union of hearts for which you were created.

If you listen to the creator’s call, you will suffer temporary loss. When you pour out compassion and pity instead of skin and superficiality, you will be considered old-fashioned, out-of-touch, a prude. Yet, within the fair bosom you are saving for a true warrior, you will be nurturing a heart of unspoiled beauty, for it has not been taken at a cheap price. It has not been hardened by a wolf who captures, abuses, and leaves. And with such a heart, you will be able to reach out and be the captain’s sail, the warrior’s reason for drawing his sword, and the soothing salve for hearts less whole than your own.

The heart of a woman is more precious than pearls, and a man of worth sees it as a priceless treasure. He knows that she is the energy that drives his purpose, and without her, the pursuit of his vision for God’s purpose will be sluggish indeed. For the honor of taking that heart to join with him in fulfilling that vision, he will give his life, his heart, and his soul. The woman who has prepared her heart for that adventure will never regret the small price she paid. Scorn fades, and satisfaction blossoms. Contempt crumbles to dust, and contentment rises in its place. Ridicule is forgotten, while refreshment of the soul lives for as long as the heart pumps its life-giving energy.

Whether you take up the sword yourself or choose to unite with a warrior, now is the time to live according to this standard. It might seem that you are walking the path alone, yet, you are never alone. The One who planted the heart within you will never leave your side, and He will continue to sing the song that fashioned you as a woman of virtue. Listen. It is there. You will have to tune out the surrounding noise, but the sounds of love and virtue will never be silenced, if only you know the Singer and His song.

(For a pdf version of this, please click here. Feel free to share this with others with appropriate credit given.)

The Bones of Makaidos in Hard Cover

I now have copies of The Bones of Makaidos in hard cover with a vinyl-style coating. You can order them at this link. (Scroll down to the hardcover option.)

Many readers have said that this is their favorite book in either dragons series, so I assumed some would want it in a more durable format. These copies are from the third printing, which means they include a couple of extra sentences clarifying Bonnie's role as an Oracle, and the dragon family tree at the front is clearer than in previous printings.

This would be a great gift for readers who love the series and this book in particular. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Price Decreases on Books and Audio Books

I have lowered the prices on several books and audio books at my shopping site (Click Here).

All audio books are $10 each in MP3 format and $20 each in CD format.

You can buy all four Dragons in our Midst audio books for $35 in MP3 format or $78 in CD format.

You can buy all four Oracles of Fire audio books for $35 in MP3 format (CD format available soon).

The Echoes from the Edge books are $10 each or $27 for the three-book set.

Spit and Polish for Husbands is only $3.

The Bones of Makaidos is still only $8, while supplies of the second printing last.

If you want a copy of the third printing of The Bones of Makaidos (which includes a short clarification of Bonnie's role as an Oracle of Fire as well as a clearer dragon family tree image), the use this link. The price is $13 for the new printing.

Here is the change I made. On page 345, the third to last paragraph now begins this way:

"The essence of such an Oracle is spiritual in nature. You will not create fire with your hands, yet fire will burn in your heart with far more boldness and passion than ever before. As an Oracle, you will look through portals to the hearts of those lost in shadows, you will feel the heavy sadness…"

New Cover for I Know Why the Angels Dance

I'm excited about this new cover for I Know Why the Angels Dance. If you would like to see a high-resolution image, Click Here. I am thinking about making posters for this cover. If you think you would buy one, let me know. That will help with my decision.

As I have mentioned before, this novel is not like any other I have written. It is contemporary fiction for adults, especially parents, and it is also suitable for teenagers. It is overtly spiritual, not a tale with hidden meanings or images that point to biblical truths, but rather a straightforward story of faith in Jesus Christ.

Also, I will be contributing all royalties to charitable causes. Right now my planned charities include World Vision and Voice of the Martyrs.

I attended a funeral over the weekend, and I wanted to give a copy of this book to the grieving family, but since it's not out yet, I couldn't. I'm looking forward to having plenty on hand to give away to those suffering in sorrow. Once you read the book, you might think about that, too. If you have one or two copies on hand to give to someone who has suffered a great loss, you will always be ready with a tangible blessing that will never be forgotten.

Here is the text from the back cover:

When the darkness of unspeakable tragedy collides with the infinite glory of heaven, what happens? What salve can heal the deepest of wounds when dawn breaks and the nightmare is real? What words can console a grieving father or mother when the blossom of the womb fades and falls? Images of hope, soft words that set the mind at ease, beautiful memories brought home by a beautiful story.

I Know Why the Angels Dance is a healing salve; it incites a cleansing catharsis; it serves as a holy image-maker, mending hearts and minds with glimpses of heaven’s glory. It opens spiritual eyes. We are all on a collision course with the unknown. Will it be a plunge into darkness or a passing from one existence into a brighter one?

Two fathers, one in the light and one in darkness, each face the reality of that passage, and both struggle to find and apply the healing balm. Yet, God uses the faith of a child to reach out to the downcast—the hand of an extraordinary girl leads them to the healing they long for.

The reality of death meets the hope of the ages, and the victory comes in the visions and songs of a little girl. After reading I Know Why the Angels Dance, you will cherish life and family like never before, and the passage everyone must make will no longer be a leap into darkness. It will be a step into glory.

New Reviews:

This book should be on every physician’s desk. It would help them gain a better understanding of emotional suffering and how they can go beyond merely performing the physical aspects of their job.—Scott VanLue, MD

You have struck the delicate balance between the assault on our physical senses when a beloved child dies and the promise we believe through our faith in Jesus Christ. Not only is it written with the grace of a poet, it poignantly strikes the chord that brings the heart to tears even while the spirit within us sings.—Rosemary Upton, author of The Court and the Kingdom and Glimpses of Grace

This novel is a masterful tale of sorrow and hope, sure to leave readers searching for love and healing that can only be fulfilled in Jesus. It is interwoven with genuine portrayals of Christians and non-Christians, their respective questions in life, and their bond as human beings living in a world paradoxically full of suffering and beauty. After reading this stirring book my heart knows why the angels dance, and I yearn to make them dance again and again. –Nicole Cragin

Incredible! I was immediately drawn into this book from the first page. The characters were so real that they became friends whom I fussed at or cheered. Tears freely flowed as I read the final pages! It encouraged and challenged me to remember that each believer’s life has a profound effect on the people around us. That God calls us to obedience even when we don’t understand what He is asking us to do, and in that obedience we can draw others to His throne of grace. –Ruth Vath

Truly remarkable. Never before have I been so convicted, overjoyed, and emotionally moved while reading a book. Through the point of view of a preteen brimming with love for God, Mr. Davis reveals the trials that come with hardship. This book raises the deep topics of how to express grief and joy in times of loss and how to share the Good News with others despite one's greatest fears. I Know Why the Angels Dance not only displays the sorrow that comes with loss but also shows the profound joy and abiding love that stretches far beyond this mortal world. –Jessica Sly

I Know Why the Angels Dance is available for pre-order from Bryan at this link: Click Here

You can also pre-order it from Amazon, Christianbook.com, and many other online booksellers.

The book is scheduled to be out by the end of September.